Make Mental Health and Wellbeing For All a Global Priority

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year and this year UN’s theme for mental health is 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority' which is very fitting in these trying times of post-pandemic era. We grow as we understand the significance of mental health.

While the World has evolved and revolutionised a great deal in past as many decades, the topic of mental health is still looked down upon and the society is still shy to discuss it out front. This attitude towards mental health has made affected our lives in an unprecedented manner and now we bear it’s consequences in the form of depression, anxiety, stresses, insomnia, etc.

Post-pandemic the World has witnessed a surge in cases of depression, anxiety, stress, etc. It is believed that over 1 billion people worldwide struggle with mental health disorder in one way or the other. We all have a role to play in overcoming the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues. It is of dire importance that we all come together to invest our time in-order to address the mental health related issues.

Some of the startling facts related to mental health disorders are:

• Though it may seem insignificant but childhood adversity accounts for 30% of mental health problems in adulthood

• Life events of an adverse nature such as chronic disease, job loss or bereavement are associated risk factor for mental health issues

• It has been observed that population from the lowest socioeconomic communities are at the highest risk of a mental health problem

• Children and adolescents from disadvantaged communities are two to three times more prone to develop mental health disorders than their economically well-off counterparts

• Social isolation has been found to be an important risk factor for deteriorating mental health and suicide

• Employment or opportunities that does not give job satisfaction have been found to be associated with decreased quality of life, social status, sense of self-worth and achievement of goals

• Women with low levels of literacy are five times more likely than those with average literacy skills to develop depression. Leaving school unfinished is also linked with substance abuse, mood disorders and suicidal ideation

• Poor-quality housing that is not safe and insecure can lead to mental health disorders as well as pronounce existing illness

• Being bullied been associated with a range of mental health problems, while such experiences along with violence put particularly people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community at substantial risk for poor mental health outcomes

We are still at a very early stage of realising that mental health is at par with physical health. Mental health problems exist in our day-to-day lives, our home, our workplaces, our communities, affecting one and all.

Our combined efforts can create a society where mental health is valued as much as physical health. Where everyone is given an equal opportunity to enjoy and exercise their human rights and where everyone can access the much deserved, mental health care.

Brain is a very complex organ and yet to be fully understood. There are still no bio-markers to identify the mental health disorders and to assess proper treatment for the same. Even with the lack of our knowledge and the methods to overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, it is our responsibility to unite and discuss these issues shunning the stigma and discrimination posed by the World for so long.

World Mental Health day is observed as a chance to talk about mental health in general, what we need to understand about it, it’s importance and how we can overcome the existing issues.

What can we do to overcome mental health issues?

Exercise:

Exercises like yoga, have been found to be associated with improving mental health. Meditate and spend time doing simple workouts, perform some relaxation techniques like meditation and listen to some cool, soothing music. Read some motivational books, follow good speakers. These are some simple techniques that can be followed easily without much issue and can be of much help in relieving stress.

Stay Well At Home and Embrace Nature:

Engage with your family and find time for your kids. Go out together and plan events together. Nature is the best healer for any problem. Embrace nature and embrace mental health.

Eat Healthy:

The most important thing to take care of mental health is to take care of physical health by taking the right amount and kind of food. It’s very important to take special care of health by having a balanced diet, increasing the intake of superfoods like fruits and nuts rich in vitamins, proteins in diet to increase the immunity to fight back against the infection.

Sleep Off the Anxiety/Stress:

Sleep is another important factor contributing to peaceful mental health. If the body is deprived of sleep, it indirectly affects the thinking, working capacity of the mind too. Getting peaceful 6-8 hrs of sleep is very important.

These are the simple tips that can be followed to improve mental health and keep ourselves motivated, keep us going strong to deal with this pandemic situation. It’s very important to take care of our mental health along with our physical health.

With families spending time together and friends caring for each other, many of the stressful conditions can be avoided. They can be dealt with less problems affecting health. So follow these simple rules of life and make life blissful